Illume Fertility's Patient Advocate Receives RESOLVE's 2023 Risa A. Levine Advocacy Legacy Award

Norwalk, CT, December 5, 2023 - Illume Fertility, a leading modern fertility practice whose exceptional quality and care helps couples and individuals grow their families, has announced that their Patient Advocate Lisa Rosenthal has received RESOLVE's 2023 Risa A. Levine Advocacy Legacy Award. This prestigious award recognizes the importance of citizen advocacy and mentoring to continue the fight for access to all family-building options for those who need them. Lisa was among six other advocacy leaders who received an award at RESOLVE’s Night of Hope Gala in New York City on November 6th.

Lisa has served as a Patient Advocate for both Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be for more than 16 years, and received the award due to her tireless efforts to advance access to fertility and family-building care for all who wish to become a parent. She has worked in supporting patients one-on-one, advancing family-building legislation, hosting support groups and encouraging others to embrace fertility advocacy. Lisa was also involved in the passing of a 2023 bill that removed discriminatory language from insurance coverage in Connecticut.

"Lisa Rosenthal is a true gem, with endless enthusiasm, energy, persistence, and empathy in every situation,” said Diana D'Amelio, Physician Assistant at Illume Fertility. “She never hesitates to call a patient in need of a shoulder to lean on, no matter how busy she is. We are so lucky to have advocates like Lisa in this world."

Serving as a communication bridge between patients and their care team, Lisa listens to those struggling to make big decisions or process difficult emotions, and spearheads advocacy initiatives within the practice to increase employee engagement, such as National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) and PCOS Awareness Month. Lisa also founded Illume’s Fertile Yoga program to help patients reduce stress and muscle tension, as well as improve flexibility, encourage relaxation, improve clarity of thinking and overall well-being.

After Lisa’s own struggle with infertility, she began volunteering with a former chapter of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, a non-profit organization with the only established nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to family-building options for all people who struggle to build a family. Lisa worked the support helpline, leading peer support groups and organizing fundraising efforts. In 2023, Lisa was selected as co-chair for RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day, in partnership with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

For more information on Lisa Rosenthal’s work with Illume Fertility and RESOLVE click here.

About Illume Fertility

Illume Fertility, formerly RMA of Connecticut, is a leading modern fertility practice providing an exceptional patient experience, innovative care, and expertise to help patients achieve their fertility and family-building goals. Led by an award-winning team of eight highly credentialed Board Certified reproductive endocrinologists, many of whom have received Castle Connolly’s prestigious Top Doc award, Illume Fertility specializes in a range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Illume Fertility’s internationally-recognized Gay Parents To Be program specializes in LGBTQ+ family building. For the last six years, Illume Fertility has been recognized as a Leader in Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign. Illume Fertility is one of the largest fertility clinics and egg donation centers in the region, offering egg freezing, oncofertility preservation, and PCOS management, helping patients as young as 16. Illume Fertility is the only regional fertility clinic offering on-site holistic patient support services including nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and yoga.